Saturday, February 16, 2002

BOXSCORE

St. Francis (NY) Shoots Down Fairleigh Dickinson, 76-51
Marchanka's game-high 25 points not enough as Terriers hot outside shooting sinks Knights

BROOKLYN, NY – Natallia Marchanka (Rechitsa, Belarus) had her fourth highest season scoring output but it wasn't enough to lift the visiting Knights (14-10, 9-6 NEC) over the hot-shooting St. Francis (NY) Terriers (5-19, 3-12 NEC). Fairleigh Dickinson drops its fourth consecutive road game but remains in a tie for fourth place in the Northeast Conference standings.

The Terriers came on strong early in the game, hitting a trifecta of three-pointers to jump to a six point lead, 22-16 with 10:41 to go in the first half. Unfortunately the Knights would go just 2-of-14 from the field for the remainder of the first session as St. Francis hit four more three-pointers and shot 58.6% overall for the half, finding themselves with a 20-point, 42-22 halftime lead.  

Fairleigh Dickinson had no luck putting together their characteristic second-half comeback.  Defensive pressure was on high, forcing 12 turnovers after intermission, but still could not stop the Terriers' who hit 5-of-10 from downtown in the second session.

St. Francis (NY) hit 49.2% for the game, compared to the Knights' 29.8%.  The Knights were also out-rebounded 45-32.

Marchanka led all scorers with 25 points including four three-pointers.  She added a team-high five rebounds and three assists. In 14 minutes off the bench Vanessa Gercke (Westmont, NJ) had six points and in 17 minutes Lauryn Ruby (Landisville, PA) had also a team-high five rebounds and two blocks for the Knights.

The Knights host Monmouth on Monday, February 18 at 7pm for FDU's last regular season home game of 2001-02.  FDU takes to the road to play St. Francis (PA) on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7pm and Robert Morris on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2pm.  As NEC action draws to a close the Knights compete for a top seed in the NEC Tournament.  Quarterfinals and semifinals will be held at Mt. St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

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